Pop star makes decision on TV future

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The curtain is closing on Katy Perry's "American Idol" gig.

On Feb. 12, the singer stunningly announced that she'll exit the ABC competition show after seven seasons — and plenty of backlash —  as a judge. Her plan is to focus on new music and set out on a tour. 

Keep clicking to see what she said about her time at "Idol."

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While appearing on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" on Feb. 12, Katy Perry revealed, "I think this probably will be my last show, my last season for 'Idol.' I mean, I love 'Idol' so much. It's connected me with the heart of America, but I feel like I need to go out and feel that pulse to my own beat."

Jimmy then asked Katy if fellow judges Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie knew she was leaving.

"Well they'll find out tonight," she said.  

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While speaking about Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie, her fellow "American Idol" judges, Katy Perry said, "I love them so much." Both won't be surprised by her decision.

They "know that I have some things planned for this year," she said of her co-judges. "So it's going to be a very, very exciting year … for all popstar girlies!" 

She added, "[Luke and Lionel] figure I've been in the studio for a while so they figured something is coming. I love the show so much but I wanna go and see the world and maybe bring new music."

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Katy Perry left the door open for a potential "American Idol" return.

"Maybe I'll come back if they'll have me one day," she told Jimmy Kimmel, prompting him to chime in, "I'm sure they'll be very happy to have you and if it turns out you want to come back I'm sure they'll fire whoever replaces you."

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During her seven-season stint on the rebooted version of "American Idol," Katy Perry sometimes faced backlash for her criticism of contestants.

She told one woman she'd been "laying on the table too much" after discovering the young aspiring singer had three children.

She also criticized a competitor's outfit and said another person's song choice was "depressing."

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Season 22 of "American Idol" premieres on ABC on Feb. 18 and streams on Hulu the following day.

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Katy Perry heads to Nashville, Tenn., to find singers for "American Idol."

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Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie discuss potential contestants on "American Idol."

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Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan appear on "American Idol."

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Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan and Katy Perry appear on "American Idol."

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Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, Luke Bryan appear on "American Idol."

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Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan discuss singers on "American Idol."

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Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan discuss singers on "American Idol."